RE: how do you choose your ammunition?
I use the Wally World specials. I like the 180 grain Remington "Core-lokts" out of my 30/06. I've tried 150 grains but my rifle likes the 180's so I stick with them. I will buy 10 or 12 boxes when there are on sale. This way I will get the same lot number. In my elk camp we all shoot 06's and we all shoot Remington 180's. This way we can practice with our rifles generally about every other month, with the bullets we will hunt with.
I have never had a problem with the "Core-lokt" bullets. I have taken 15 elk, 2 black bears, 5 antelope, 5 mule deer, 1 cougar, and 1 whitetail. Lost animals have been 1 elk, not because of the bullet but it's placement. I had killed an elk the year before with my muzzleloader by hitting it in the small of the back breaking it's spine dropping it on the spot. The spike bull was 1/2 way behind a small spruce tree, covering his front 1/2. I decided to line up my muzzleloader on the bull, I was lining-up the sites on it's back & planned on pulling thru the pine & waiting till he stepped out----Well I decided to set the "set-tigger" on my T/C Renegrade------- I was on the wrong trigger, the shot hit the bull in small of the back breaking it's spine anchoring him on the spot. Back to the lost cow elk---This was the following year and I had the exact same shot on a cow. The difference were: 1 it was on a ridge top & if the cow came out she would be gone into the dark timber with the first step. And I had my 06 with a scope so I thought I could place the bullet in the small of the back. Wrong!! I trailed that cow for the rest of the day, several miles in the dark timber. I found a couple of her beds but was never able to catch up to finish the job. That was 20 years ago when I was young & dumb. It would not have mattered what caliber or bullet type, it was a dumb shot!!
In my elk camp the other guys have taken another 15 or so elk over the years again using 180 "Core-lokts" without a problem. And in all honesty most of them have been 1 shot kills.
I've also handloaded my 06 for bighorn & mtn goat. I used 180 Hornady spire points with 56 grains of IMR 4350. I used a friend's press, scales, etc to work up the load. He is a handloader much like you all. He guided me thru the entire process. Anyways with this handload I can have 4 shots touch one another & the 5th would be 1/2 high---- Not bad from sandbags & a hunting rifle. The ram was taken at 160 yards & the goat was taken at about 50 yards. IMO, Remington "Core-lokts" would have the same results.
When I practice shooting, generally I shot my 22 the most. To be honest 20 shots out of the 06 & I don't want to shot anymore. So I will shoot the 22 & the shoot 4 or 5 rounds out of the 06 at various ranges--50 yards to 200 yards. My wife & I will usually use a box of 06 rounds & a couple hundred 22's . With the 06, the target is a clay pigeon, not a paper target. I figure the elk does not care if it's the top of the heart or the bottom---He's dead. With my wife I will generally fill up a 1 liter Pepsi bottle with water & have her shoot at it. She can really tell when it's hit.
As for reloading rifle rounds, I think it's a hobby. Lot's of reloaders like to shoot the tightest groups possible and if that's your thing, Well that's great. To save money well I don't buy it. Not with the 06 like I use. Now, if you a varmit shooter, well that's a different story---You can use up 100's of 22-250 rounds sitting on a good prairie dog town.
Now I have a MEC that I use to reload my shotshells. I'm a trap shooter & generally shoot 4 rounds a week. But that's another story
Hope that explains it, alittle to you Stubblejumper.
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